$645K In Tourism Grants Awarded To Harford County Nonprofits To Boost Overnight Stays

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Fifteen Harford County nonprofits have received thousands of dollars in grants to support tourism with an emphasis on boosting overnight stays by guests.

Tourism grants were awarded for the 2025 fiscal year by the county in two funding categories, the Partnership Fund and the Harford Strides Fund. Harford’s Partnership Fund encourages nonprofits to plan events together to draw guests to stay overnight or longer.

Recipients in this category are:

Bel Air Downtown Alliance, $80,000;

Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, $85,000;

Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, $25,000;

Highland Community Association, $70,000;

Maryland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, $57,000, and

Steppingstone Museum, $70,000.

The Harford Strides Fund provides funding to tourism-related nonprofits for operational or programmatic costs as a bridge to future sustainability. Organizations may only receive this funding for two consecutive years; afterwards, they are eligible to apply for the Partnership Fund.

Nonprofits receiving funds in this category are:

Concord Point Lighthouse, $20,000;

Harmer’s Town Art Center, $30,000;

Havre de Grace Arts Collective, $10,000;

Havre de Grace Colored School and Cultural Center, $40,000;

Hosanna School Museum, $50,000;

Rockfield Foundation, $25,000;

Susquehanna Museum of Havre de Grace, $28,500, and

Susquehannock Wildlife Society, $55,000.

“Tourism is a good investment for Harford County that boosts our small businesses when visitors stay, dine and shop locally,” Harford County Executive Cassilly said. “Our tourism program is a win-win that supports itself through the hotel tax and grows local attractions to keep visitors coming, drive economic activity and enhance our own quality of life.”